Mission Dolores in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Elixir

Photographed by Juan Candelaria

1. Elixir Marker

Inscription. This is the second oldest known continually operating Saloon location in San Francisco and a centerpiece of the Mission Dolores Neighborhood. On this site Francis Daneal's "bar-room" was listed in the 1858 edition of the San Francisco Registry. Right at this corner in 1851 is also where the Mission Plank Road began, making it quite possible that a saloon was here earlier than 1858. Research has shown that this location has changed ownership and names throughout the years but has always remained a drinking establishment. Owners of note from the past include Francis Daneal (1858-1875), Hugh Mooney (1875-1893), Patrick McGinnis (1893-1933), Thomas Sheehan (1934-1938), Florence and Swede (1966-1984), and William Carlson/Birute Cassidy (1990-2003).

McGinnis rebuilt the place after it burnt down during the 1906 Earthquake by building it inside a more grandiose building designed by Brainerd Jones which is the basis of what we see today. The location also survived the "Noble Experiment" of prohibition under auspices of a "soft drink parlor".

In 2003 H. Joseph Ehrmann bought the place and closed its doors in order to restore the saloon to its original Victorian glory whose design lay buried under nearly 100 years of use. After it reopened under the name Elyxir, it became a pioneer in the revival of the cocktail culture, and eventually earning recognition as a San Francisco Legacy Bar in 2011.

Dedicated March 18th 6022 (2017) By Capitulus Redivivus Mother Lodge Yerba Buena #1 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampsus Vitus Credo Quia Absurdum

Erected 2017

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by Capitulus Redivivus Mother Lodge Yerba Buena #1 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1858.

Location. 37° 45.892′ N, 122° 25.46′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Mission Dolores. It is at the intersection of 16th Street and Guerrero Street, on the left when traveling east on 16th Street. Marker is located on the left of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 16th Street, San Francisco CA 94103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Elixir Saloon image. Click for full size.

2. Elixir Saloon

Main entrance with marker on the left.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Coast Miwok (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Original Mission Dolores Chapel and Dolores Lagoon / The Rammaytush (about 600 feet away); The Frank J. Portman Memorial Diorama (about 700 feet away); El Camino Real (about 700 feet away); Misión San Francisco de Asís (about 700 feet away); Fray Francisco Palou, O.F.M. (about 700 feet away); La Misión San Francisco de Asís (approx. 0.2 miles away); Guillermo Granizo (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Elixir Saloon Sign image. Click for full size.

3. Elixir Saloon Sign

Photographed by John Torro Ortiz NGH #70 Yerba Buena #1

4. Elixir Saloon

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 648 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 22, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2017. 4. submitted on November 22, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.